2017-2018 Course Offerings

International Studies

INTL-100

Credit Hours:

4

Introduction to International Studies: The Making of the Modern World

Introduction to themes, concepts and approaches to International Studies from an interdisciplinary perspective. The course explores key concepts of modernity in the context of specific cultural, political, and economic experiences within a historical framework. This course must be taken before the end of the sophomore year.

INTL-199

Credit Hours:

1-4

Introductory Topics in International Studies

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit.

INTL-200

Credit Hours:

4

Themes and Approaches in International Studies

The main goals of this course are to introduce sophomore students, who have completed INTL100, to some of the key themes and theories within the purview of International Studies to help them shape their individual concentrations in the major. The course also provides opportunities for students to examine various world problems through an interdisciplinary lens, drawing on both political-economic and sociocultural analytical frameworks in various disciplines. Finally, students learn the basics of academic research and writing processes, i.e., formulating a well-defined topic, posing a relevant research question, finding and interrogating appropriate sources, justifying the research's intellectual contribution to a broader scholarly audience and, when applicable, to the efforts to solve real-world problems, through writing and revising a carefully crafted prose. Among numerous debates and issues that International Studies scholars grapple with, the course focuses on four broadly conceived themes: economic development, nationalism and national identity, transnational migration, and mediated and material culture. After learning major scholarly approaches to theorize each of these themes, students develop individual research project and write a scholarly paper, complete with abstract, introduction, literature review, case study, and conclusion. At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to formulate, broaden, and contextualize their thematic and topical concentrations within the interdisciplinary scheme of International Studies, and be equipped with academic research skills to pursue their concentrations in the major.

INTL-201

Credit Hours:

1

Major Proposal for International Studies

The required mid-level course is for all International Studies majors. The goals of this one-credit course are to create a vibrant intellectual community of students, in which they collaboratively formulate individual interests in the field of International Studies through discussion and peer-reviews in class, and consultation with the course coordinator (International Studies Program Director) and faculty advisor assigned by the coordinator. Through these processes, the students are expected to not only develop strong camaraderie among them as the new INTL majors, but also formulate comprehensive plans for how they will pursue their interests in International Studies during their final two years at Denison. This involves charting out their courses in International Studies for the next two years-including coursework from off-campus study programs that they wish to count towards the International Studies major. By the end of the course, students submit the major proposal, in which they synthesize coursework, off-campus study (or an internship), and language training in a way that allows them to develop a coherent area of expertise within International Studies, and they will share their goals and plans with their cohort and a wider International Studies community. The proposals will be evaluated by the course coordinator, who consults with the entire International Studies Program Committee.

INTL-250

Credit Hours:

4

Global and Local Flows and Frictions

A mid-level topics course that allows students to build upon concepts and theories introduced in INTL-100 and 200. It explores, in specific and contextualized terms, particular issues associated with global linkages in contemporary and historical contexts. The course takes into account cultural, economic and political factors. The specific topic or theme varies according to the interest of the faculty member teaching the course. Students may take more than one section of this course.

INTL-299

Credit Hours:

1-4

Intermediate Topics in International Studies

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit.

INTL-361

Credit Hours:

1-4

Directed Study

Directed studies are undertaken at the initiative of the student and may involve any topic acceptable to the student and an instructor. Written consent.

INTL-362

Credit Hours:

1-4

Directed Study

Directed studies are undertaken at the initiative of the student and may involve any topic acceptable to the student and an instructor. Written consent.

INTL-363

Credit Hours:

1-4

Independent Study

Written consent.

INTL-364

Credit Hours:

1-4

Independent Study

Written consent.

INTL-400

Credit Hours:

4

Senior Capstone Seminar

This seminar integrates the three core courses, the four concentration courses, the off-campus experience and the language training, into a culminating research project. It focuses on theoretical tools, frameworks and methodologies in International Studies. This seminar emphasizes the development of independent research skills and scholarly writing in connection with a research project based on individual students' interests.